Recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder: Results of Eden-Hybbinette and Putti-Platt operations

The results of surgery in 74 cases of recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder are reported. The procedures used were Eden-Hybbinette (E-H) in 48 cases and Putti-Platt (P-P) in 26 cases.

The recurrence rate in the 62 shoulder joints re-examined some 4 years postoperatively was 3/41 in E-H cases and 3/21 in P-P cases. The clinical results were excellent in 46 cases, satisfactory in 11, unsatisfactory in four and poor in one case without notable difference between the methods. A restriction of the outward rotation of more than 10 degrees could be observed in half the cases regardless of method.

Radiographically, the Bankart lesion of the glenoid rim could be observed in two-thirds of the cases and osteoarthrosis of the glenohumeral joint was evident in one tenth. The transplanted bone block used in the E-H reconstruction was still in position in the majority but some degree of resorption could usually be observed. These observations did not correlate with the clinical results.